Oregon State has been unbeatable at home this season.
The Beavers look to tap into their home-court advantage again on Thursday when they finish nonconference play in Corvallis against Idaho State.
Jordan Pope knocked down two free throws with 13 seconds left on Sunday when Oregon State (7-3) rallied for a 66-65 win over Texas-San Antonio, upping its mark in Gill Coliseum to 7-0. That win was a closer shave than the Beavers might have preferred as they trailed by four points with under 2 1/2 minutes remaining.
Pope finished with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, upping his team-high scoring average to 16.1 points per game. Tyler Bilodeau chips in 12.4 points per game and Dexter Akanno adds 11.2. Akanno contributed 15 points and a pair of blocked shots to Sunday’s victory.
After dropping three straight games against fellow Power 5 opponents Nebraska, Baylor and Pittsburgh, Oregon State is on a four-game winning streak. It has been money in close games, going 3-0 in one-possession contests.
To make much noise in the Pac-12’s final year, though, the Beavers will need to improve on offense. Per kenpom.com, their efficiency rating is 260th in Division I with 100.5 points per 100 possessions, 4.2 below average.
As for Idaho State (4-6), it hasn’t played since Dec. 9, when it shot 74.1 percent in the second half yet lost 82-74 at Southern Utah. The Bengals committed 19 turnovers that led to 20 points and allowed the Thunderbirds to hit 53.2 percent of their field goals.
“Very underwhelming defensive performance,” said Idaho State coach Ryan Looney. “We got good shots and shot a good percentage, especially in the second half … we turned it over too much.”
Brayden Parker leads three Bengals in double figures at 12.9 points per game and is shooting 66.2 percent from the field. Kiree Huie adds 12.4 and Miguel Tomley scores 10.7. Idaho State owns just two wins over Division I competition this season.
Oregon State holds a 2-1 lead all-time and won the most recent meeting, 56-41 on Nov. 23, 2007, in Corvallis.
–Field Level Media